Rose Cottage, Wilberforce

Rose Cottage is a residence built from vertical timber slabs in Wilberforce, constructed with original window frames and traditional metal hinges. The structure displays the building techniques used during early European settlement of the area.

The house was built between 1809 and 1820 by Thomas Rose and is one of the oldest known timber slab houses in Australia. The family owned the property for over 140 years before it passed to other owners in 1961.

The cottage shows how early settlers lived and built in Australia. The wooden walls and simple details tell of their daily routines and the skills they used to construct homes.

The house is open to visitors on Sundays, where you can explore the rooms and see the old construction methods yourself. A small donation is welcome to help support the ongoing care of the building.

After decades as municipal property, a family bought the house back in 1993 for just one dollar. This was a meaningful moment for descendants who wanted to preserve their family story in this place.

Location: New South Wales

GPS coordinates: -33.56560,150.84000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:43